PHS Introduction to Law and Ethics Review

Which of the following is an example of a situation that might result in legal action for malpractice, negligence, assault and battery, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, abuse, and defamation?

• A nurse administers the wrong medication, leading to patient harm (malpractice), leaves a patient unattended causing a fall (negligence), hits a patient without consent (assault and battery), shares a patient's medical information without permission (invasion of privacy), restrains a patient without a valid reason (false imprisonment), physically harms a patient (abuse), and spreads false rumors about a colleague (defamation).

• A nurse gives a patient their scheduled medication on time, documents care accurately, and respects patient privacy at all times.

• A nurse follows all hospital protocols, never restrains patients, and always obtains consent before procedures.

• A nurse only discusses patient information with authorized personnel and never uses physical force.

Privileged communications are defined as confidential exchanges between a patient and a health care provider that are protected by law. How do they apply to health care?

• They require all patient information to be made public.

• They allow health care providers to share patient information freely.

• They protect patient information from being disclosed without consent.

• They only apply to non-medical professionals.

Which law outlines the legal regulations that apply to health care records?

List 3 basic patient rights.

Laws govern healthcare.

• True

• False

What is the main purpose of Criminal Law?

• To protect individual rights only

• To protect the public as a whole from the harmful acts of others

• To regulate business practices

• To resolve civil disputes

Criminal Law deals with wrongs against a person, property, or society.

• True

• False

What do civil laws generally carry as a consequence?

• Jail time

• Community service

• Monetary damage or award

• Loss of citizenship

Healthcare employees are most frequently involved in cases of civil law, especially in _______ and contracts.

• wills

• felonies

• torts

• subpoenas

Fill in the blank: A ______ is a wrongful act that is committed against another person or property that results in harm that does not involve a contract.

• crime

• contract

• statute

• tort